Marla Ahlgrimm | Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it literally means porous bone. Osteoporosis can cause bones to become so weak and brittle that a fracture can occur with little to no impact. The condition is sometimes referred to as a “silent disease” because there are typically no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss.

While osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, Marla Ahlgrimm points out that Caucasian and Asian women are at the highest risk. Body size, age, and family history are also factors that determine a woman’s risk. Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoporosi, although it might be preventable for some women. Through a diet and exercise program that replenishes the body’s natural calcium stores, many women can reduce the effects of bone loss throughout their lives.

A lifetime of bone health

Calcium needs change during one’s lifetime. Naturally, the body’s need for calcium is greater during childhood and adolescence, while the skeleton is growing rapidly, and also during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During these times, Marla Ahlgrimm notes that a woman will need between 1000 and 1300 milligrams per day. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 require 1000 milligrams of calcium per day, while women over the age of 70 require 1200 milligrams per day.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Heat Stroke And How to Avoid It

Heat stroke occurs when a person’s body gets too hot, becomes dehydrated, and is unable to cool itself by sweating. When this happens, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that body temperature can rise high enough to make the person sick.

Early symptoms occur when the body temperature rises above average. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and fatigue. In the early stages, this is called heat exhaustion.

If steps are not taken to reduce the body’s temperature, heat exhaustion can lead to a serious, potentially life-threatening form of heat illness known as heat stroke. Once the body’s temperature rises above 105 degrees, neurological changes, such as mental confusion or unconsciousness, may develop. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that the baseline is 98; anything higher than 100 indicates a potential problem. Extreme heat can affect internal organs, causing a breakdown of heart muscle cells and blood vessels, damage to internal organs, and death.

There are two classifications of heat stroke. These are exertional heat stroke and nonexertional heat stroke. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that exertional heat stroke typically strikes young, otherwise healthy people as they are more likely to be less concerned about the effects of heat on their health. Nonexertional heat stroke tends to occur in people who have a diminished ability to regulate body temperature. Older people, young children, and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk.